Airports commission recommends expanding Heathrow, stresses concerns must

The commission says the government should also commit to a blanket ban on night flights and raise funds from airport usage levies to insulate homes in the vicinity.

The decision on whether a new runway should be built at Heathrow or Gatwick will not be the end of the story, according to campaigners.

The 242-page report also firmly ruled out the possibility of building a fourth runway at Heathrow at any point in the future.

Rob Gray, Back Heathrow’s Campaign Co-ordinator, said he was “delighted” by the announcement.

“For the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Heathrow expansion will enable the delivery of once-in-a- generation skills, training and apprenticeship opportunities and come with increased connections to local residents and business through the Western rail Link to Heathrow”.

A spokesperson for SHE said: “We will step up our opposition”.

“The extension advocated will be financed by private capital and would open the United Kingdom to 40 new destinations”, he added.

‘It is of course for the Government to decide’

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A lengthy report said it would create 70,000 new jobs by 2050 but Sir Howard Davies, the head of the report, added a new runway should be subject to severe restrictions.

But Gatwick Airport’s chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick is still very much in the race”.

The Commission’s decision to support Heathrow expansion over the other proposals may cause issues for the Conservative government, with West London a majority Tory-voting area.

The union for airport workers has commented on the Airport Commission’s recommendations for airport expansion in the South East.

The Airports Commission states that of the three proposed schemes shortlisted, Heathrow provided the strongest case for economic benefit as well as a “significant package of measures to address its environmental and community impact”.

‘Heathrow is best-placed to provide the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long haul destinations to new markets. It is quicker simpler and quieter. Whatever happens next, it seems certain a new runway can not be delivered for at least a decade.

The Commission’s proposal is expected to be backed – but only if it meets stringent conditions on air quality, noise pollution and carbon emissions. At the time Johnson labelled the decision “myopic”. However, a government spokesperson has already stated it will not be rushed into making a decision. The busiest airport in the country is Heathrow, operating at ninety eight percent of its capacity and the second one is Gatwick. Heathrow is the UK’s only hub airport, and is one of the most important hubs in the world, but it is full.